Ford Patents

Ford Motor Company is a a global automotive manufacturer and distributor of Ford and Lincoln branded vehicles.

Ford Patents by Type
  • Ford Patents Granted: Ford patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Ford Patent Applications: Ford patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Patent number: 11911637
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a mask, and in particular a mask configured as a respirator. The disclosed mask is relatively low cost and relatively easy to manufacture. Further, the disclosed mask is reusable and customizable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Brick, Martin Delonis, James Yu-Hsin Kuo, Arnav Wagh, Michael Harmon, Jason Powell
  • Patent number: 11915538
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable to determine a currently activatable feature on a vehicle from a plurality of features; establish negotiations between each of a plurality of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) anchors of the vehicle and at least one mobile device; select a search strategy based on the currently activatable feature; upon selecting the search strategy, during a search iteration, determine distance data to at least one mobile device from a subset of UWB anchors, and inhibit a remainder of the UWB anchors other than the subset; perform a trilateral calculation on the distance data for the mobile device; and actuate a component of the vehicle according to the currently activatable feature based on a result of the trilateral calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Joseph Gorski, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11913852
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a pump, a valve supplied from the pump, a sensor fixed relative to the pump, a nozzle supplied from the valve and aimed at the sensor, and a computer communicatively coupled to the pump, the valve, and the sensor. The computer is programmed to instruct the pump to operate; while the pump is operating, instruct the valve to close; receive data from the sensor while the pump is operating and the valve is instructed to be closed; and set a flag upon determining, based on the data received from the sensor, that the nozzle is outputting fluid onto the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashwin Arunmozhi, Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Kunal Singh
  • Patent number: 11914745
    Abstract: Handling personally identifiable information (PII) in data streams is provided. Processed sensor data is received, from a plurality of vehicles including sensors capturing raw sensor data, the raw sensor data including captured PII and non-PII. The processed sensor data includes simulated PII created based on the captured PII and one or more layers of the captured PII corresponding to the simulated PII. A request is received from a client device for a portion of the processed sensor data. Access keys corresponding to the request are identified. A result is constructed according to the access keys using the processed sensor data. The constructed result is sent to the client device responsive to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Jon Speigle, Brian Tamm, Yashanshu Jain, Yogendra Singh
  • Patent number: 11915172
    Abstract: Robot-assisted package delivery with integrated curbside parking monitoring and curb operations optimization is disclosed herein. An example method includes dispatching a delivery vehicle and delivery robot to a delivery location, the delivery location including a parking location for the delivery vehicle that allows for deployment of the delivery robot on a delivery mission, determining occupancy of the parking location, the delivery vehicle parking at the parking location when the parking location is unoccupied, the delivery robot being deployed upon parking of the delivery vehicle, and instructing the delivery vehicle to remain parked during the delivery mission or to leave the parking location and return at later point in time based on an estimated time of arrival of the delivery robot after the delivery mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Twumasi-Boakye, Mohammed Fayaj navaz, Eric Wingfield, Archak Mittal, Xiaolin Cai, James Fishelson, Andrea Broaddus, Jon Coleman, Amit Bhagwan, Dhanush Harihar
  • Patent number: 11915185
    Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to securely deliver items to a vehicle. In particular, a delivery is authenticated before access is provided to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shevon Vannitamby, Chris Michael Kava
  • Patent number: 11912348
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a sensor arrangement configured to sense one or more regions proximate to an exterior of the vehicle, and a controller configured to process signals generated by the sensor arrangement and to detect and generate a geometric profile of a trailer in the one or more regions proximate to the exterior of the vehicle, the controller further determining an air resistance of the trailer based on the geometric profile and calculating an expected driving range of the vehicle based on the detected air resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Darren Palmer, Ryan O'Gorman, Peter Phung, Katherine Howard-Cone
  • Patent number: 11914914
    Abstract: A system includes a display screen positioned to display on an exterior of a host vehicle, a user interface of the host vehicle, and a computer communicatively coupled to the display screen and the user interface. The computer is programmed to, in response to detecting a target vehicle having prespecified indicia, instruct the user interface to output an instruction to an occupant of the host vehicle, and in response to detecting personnel from the target vehicle, instruct the display screen to output a message to the personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Hussein H. Berry, Lucretia Williams, Monica Lam, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Clay Carpenter
  • Patent number: 11912122
    Abstract: This disclosure details systems and methods for supporting and isolating vehicle body mounted battery packs from various vehicle loads. An exemplary electrified vehicle may include a frame, a battery support structure mounted to the frame, a battery pack, and one or more isolators. The battery pack is supported by the battery support structure but is not mechanically coupled to the frame. The isolator is mounted between the battery pack and the battery pack support structure for isolating the battery pack from loads that may be imparted on the frame and/or the battery support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ronald Bohmer, Erik Billimoria, Kevin A. Montgomery, Hari Krishna Addanki, Eid Farha, Jesus Cardoso, Marcela Arana, Sukhwinder Singh Dhindsa, Jeffrey A. Walesch, Alexander Arena, Mikolaj Tyksinski
  • Patent number: 11916250
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a battery assembly of an electrified vehicle, and in particular to a battery pack with a vent gas passageway. An example battery assembly includes a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. Each of the battery cells includes a vent configured to release vent gas from a respective one of the battery cells. Further, the battery assembly includes an enclosure assembly surrounding the battery array, and a vent gas passageway within the enclosure assembly. The vent gas passageway includes a plurality of inlet ports, and each of the inlet ports is substantially aligned with a respective one of the vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Di Zhu, June Ren, Yafeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11912123
    Abstract: A traction battery pack venting system includes a plurality of battery arrays within a traction battery pack. The battery arrays each have a plurality of individual battery cells. The system further includes a divider system that provides a plurality of vented gas receiving compartments. Each of the vented gas receiving compartments are separate and distinct from the other vented gas receiving compartments within the plurality of vented gas receiving compartments. Each of the vented gas receiving compartments are associated with one of the battery arrays. Each of the vented gas receiving compartments can be associated with a manifold. The vent gas produced from thermal runaway can be discharged to the vented gas receiving compartments, directed to a manifold, and discharge to the external atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chung-Hsing Kuo, Yongcai Wang, LeeAnn Wang, Che-chun Chang
  • Patent number: 11912145
    Abstract: This disclosure describes charging systems for electrified vehicles. Exemplary charging systems may employ a multi-voltage charging circuit that supports charging of a traction battery pack at both a first voltage level during a first charging condition and a second, different voltage level during a second charging condition. Higher voltage levels may be experienced during the second charging condition as compared to the first charging condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Mackenzie, Jonathan Barker, Thomas J. Coupar
  • Patent number: 11912166
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling output of a fuel cell that generates electrical power for an electric machine that propels a vehicle. In one example, a driver demand power reduction is anticipated and output of the fuel cell is adjusted before the driver demand power is reduced so that a greater amount of electric charge may be stored in an electric energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Beck, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Kenneth James Miller, Thomas Joseph Cusumano
  • Patent number: 11912164
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle with a thermal management system for a battery. A corresponding method is also disclosed. An example electrified vehicle includes a battery and a thermal management system configured to thermally condition the battery at one of a plurality of thermal conditioning levels. Each of the thermal conditioning levels corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of battery temperature thresholds. The electrified vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine which of the plurality of battery temperature thresholds is met or exceeded based on a temperature of the battery and to command the thermal management system to thermally condition the battery at corresponding one of the plurality of thermal conditioning levels. Further, when a state of health of the battery is outside a predefined range, the controller is configured to adjust each of the plurality of battery temperature thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaohong Nina Duan, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 11913825
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage system (1) for a loading space of a commercial motor vehicle. In order to make commercial motor vehicles available that can be utilized more productively and more effectively, the storage system (1) exhibits at least one weighing machine with counting scale (5), capable of being fixed in the loading space, and at least one indicating unit (7), assigned to the weighing machine with counting scale (5), for indicating a piece number of bulk commodity located on the weighing machine with counting scale (5) and/or for indicating a volume of a liquid commodity located on the weighing machine with counting scale (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Detlef Kuck, Marcel Grein, Alexandra Holz, Moritz Martinius, Ramola Rege
  • Patent number: 11912279
    Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Thompson, David Hancock, Scott Christensen, John Rollinger, Jeremy Russell, Jeffrey Tumavitch, Dennis Light, David Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11912334
    Abstract: A method for releasing a tilt mechanism for a steering element of a vehicle, wherein the steering element is mounted pivotably around a tilt axis between a steering position and at least one non-steering position, wherein the steering element has at least one releasable locking arrangement, which fixes the steering element in the steering position and the at least one non-steering position. The locking arrangement can adopt at least one locking state in which the release of the locking arrangement is prevented and can adopt at least one release state in which the release of the locking arrangement is enabled. A corresponding steering arrangement and a corresponding vehicle are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Kuepper, Martin Faßbender, Bruno Alves, Klemens Degle, Lukas Loehmann
  • Patent number: 11912230
    Abstract: An assembly includes a seat having a seat bottom that includes a top surface. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the seat and inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag in the inflated position includes a bottom end positioned below the top surface. The assembly includes a pyrotechnic retractor supported by the seat bottom. The assembly includes a tether connected to the bottom end of the airbag and to the pyrotechnic retractor such that actuation of the pyrotechnic retractor retracts the tether and urges the bottom end of the airbag toward the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11912121
    Abstract: A traction battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a lower tier of battery arrays, an upper tier of battery arrays, and a support structure disposed between the lower tier and the upper tier. The lower tier is suspended from a downwardly facing side of the support structure. The upper tier is disposed atop an upwardly facing side of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francisco Fernandez-Galindo, Nihar Kotak, Daniel Paul Roberts
  • Patent number: 11912234
    Abstract: Upon authorizing a user via challenge biometric data, user data is determined to be updated based on detecting a trigger. Upon detecting the trigger prior to authenticating the user, the user data is updated with the challenge biometric data based on authenticating the user. Upon detecting the trigger after authenticating the user, the user data is updated with updated challenge biometric data based on a confidence score for the second biometric data exceeding a threshold. Structure components are controlled based on the updated user data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Mackenzie Martinez, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Jake Schwartz, Medha Karkare
  • Patent number: 11912108
    Abstract: A vehicle air vent system includes a duct defining an outlet that directs air into an interior compartment. An air register assembly is operably coupled to the duct proximate to the outlet. The air register assembly includes a frame. A vane is rotatably coupled to the frame. A variable resistor is operably coupled to the frame. A user interface has a display. A controller is communicatively coupled to the user interface and the variable resistor. The controller receives a signal from the variable resistor and determines a position of the air register assembly in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Ahuizotl Fragoso Iñiguez, Fernando Mayorga Basilio, Juan Pablo Jiménez de la Rosa
  • Patent number: 11912237
    Abstract: A front trunk includes a multi-action closure assembly. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; a frame rotatably mounted relative to the cargo space; a first panel rotatably mounted to the frame; a second panel rotatably mounted to the frame; and wherein, when the first and second panels are in closed positions, the frame is rotatable to an open position to uncover the front trunk, wherein, when the frame is in a closed position, the first and second panels are rotatable to open positions to uncover the front trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Patent number: 11912262
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an air-conditioning (AC) compressor, an engine, a belt-integrated starter generator (BISG), and a controller. The controller, responsive to detecting a first AC compressor engagement condition, compares a first AC torque demand that is required to engage the AC compressor with an available torque from the BISG. The controller further, responsive to the available torque being insufficient to engage the AC compressor, engages the AC compressor using the available torque from the BISG and an engine torque from the engine to compensate a torque shortfall between the AC torque demand and the available torque by retarding spark timing and increasing air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Leroy, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Athul Raj, Grant Cooper
  • Patent number: 11911817
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a part is provided, which includes a die. The die includes a round orifice, a central mandrel disposed within the round orifice, and a plurality of bridges and a corresponding plurality of portholes between the bridges. The bridges and the portholes extending around the central mandrel. A spacing of the bridges around the mandrel is non-equiangular. The die allows a material to be extruded through the die to form a round, closed geometry tube from the material such that the round, closed geometry tube has non-equiangular welds after emerging from the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Andrey M. Ilinich, Stephen Kernosky, Mark Stephen Salmonowicz, S. George Luckey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11913260
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a first door and a second door moveable from an open position to a closed position. The assembly includes a first locking member supported by the first door moveable along a first axis to a raised position and to a lowered position. The assembly includes a second locking member supported by the second door movable along a second axis transverse to the first axis. The first locking member is lockingly engaged with the second locking member when the second locking member is in the extended position and the first locking member is in one of the lowered position or the raised position. The first locking member is disengaged with the second locking member when the second locking member is in the retracted position and the first locking member is in the other of the lowered position or the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhibing Deng, Joseph E. Abramczyk, Deepak Patel
  • Patent number: 11914358
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing an accuracy of anomaly detection in assets such as vehicle components. In one example, a method provides for continuous health monitoring of connected physical assets, comprising adapting thresholds for anomaly detection and root cause analysis algorithms for the connected assets based on an aggregation of new connected data using machine learning; updating and ranking advanced statistical and machine learning models based on their performance using connected data until confirming a best performing model; and deploying the best performing model to monitor the connected physical assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Devesh Upadhyay, Huanyi Shui, Dimitar Filev
  • Publication number: 20240059284
    Abstract: A vehicle can operate on a roadway for which a default lane is defined. Upon determining that the vehicle is currently operating on the roadway for which the default lane is defined, a lane override command to select a target lane other than the default lane can be determined based on prior lane selections in the vehicle. A vehicle component can be actuated based on the target lane override command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Brendan Francis Diamond, Jordan Barrett, Keith Weston, Anthony Maraldo
  • Publication number: 20240059199
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix. An air bladder assembly is covered by the lattice matrix. The air bladder assembly includes a plurality of air bladders supported on a platform assembly. Each air bladder includes a body portion operable between deflated and inflated conditions. Each air bladder includes a connection stem. A support plate includes a plurality of access apertures disposed therethrough. The air bladder assembly is operably coupled to the support plate. Each air bladder is aligned with at least one access aperture of the plurality of access apertures. A carrier assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures disposed through an outer surface thereof. The carrier assembly receives the connection stem of each air bladder through at least one mounting aperture of the plurality of mounting apertures of the carrier assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Megan Romelfanger, Victoria Leigh Schein, Brian Boland, Patrick Maloney, Alex Perkins, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Publication number: 20240059242
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a dash. A first seat and a second seat are spaced from the dash. A console is adjacent to the dash with the console being movable from a stowed position disposed in the dash to a deployed position extending from the dash between the first seat and the second seat. An airbag is supported by the console with the airbag being inflatable to an inflated position when the console is in the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S.M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11904761
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an exterior lighting system for a motor vehicle. An example system includes a plurality of lights configured to illuminate an area adjacent the motor vehicle, a plurality of sensors, and a controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the lights based on signals from the sensors. The example system includes various aspects configured to preserve energy, including reducing the polling rate of sensors corresponding to deactivated lights, increasing light intensity in proportion to the speed of detected motion, and only illuminating those lights that correspond to locations of a recognized user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Hussein Berry, Clayton Benjamin Ford, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman, Dave Diamond
  • Patent number: 11904736
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a track assembly disposed on a vehicle floor. The track assembly includes a rail slidably disposed in a track and a positioning bracket fixedly coupled to the track. A lift mechanism is coupled to a pivot bracket disposed on the rail and is configured to rotate the seat frame between sitting and standing positions. A lever assembly is rotatably coupled to the lift mechanism, rotatable about a seat axis of rotation, and movable along the positioning bracket as the rail slides in the track. A release mechanism is operably coupled to the lift mechanism and the track assembly. The release mechanism may fix the rail relative to the track or release the rail from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 11908302
    Abstract: A vehicle determines that a trigger state designated for user assistance for a user traveling away from a vehicle has occurred. The vehicle determines that an alert action to be taken, defined in conjunction with the trigger state and determines that a user has not returned to a vehicle based on a failure to detect a user wireless device. The vehicle automatically executes the alert action responsive to the trigger state occurrence and failure to detect the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephanie Gage, Raymond Theodore Gage
  • Patent number: 11904745
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seatback and a seat that includes a seat frame and a support assembly. The support assembly is coupled to the seat frame and movable between an elevated position and a flattened position in response to an actuation force applied on the support assembly. The support assembly includes an extension member having a first end fixedly coupled to the seat frame and a second end rotatably coupled to the seat frame, and a plate having a first side rotatably coupled to the seat frame and a second side slidably coupled to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Sean Bayle West, Ratan Howlader, Robert Charles Shipley, Patrick Davis, Ian James, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, David Frederick Lyons
  • Patent number: 11904743
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a floor, and a tailgate at the rear end of the cabin interior, wherein at least a portion of the tailgate pivots between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. The vehicle has a first seat track assembly is supported on the floor in the cabin interior, a second seat track assembly supported on the tailgate, and a seat assembly. The seat assembly including a first seat panel, a second seat panel, a bracket that allows the first seat panel and the second seat panel to pivot between a forward facing position and a rearward facing position, and a guide supporting the bracket on one of the first and second seat track assemblies, wherein the seat assembly may slide rearward along the first seat track assembly onto the second seat track assembly when the tailgate is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Sean Bayle West, Johnathan Andrew Line, Peter Phung, Kevin Wayne Preuss
  • Patent number: 11904512
    Abstract: A method of making a vehicle headrest restraint and connecting first and second molds to form a mold cavity. A first material is injected with a first density into the mold cavity. A second material is injected with a second density into the mold cavity. The first and second materials are allowed to develop an integrally formed headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jeremy Sutton
  • Patent number: 11904878
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle may include a controller, a single pedal and a torque control module. The controller may be operably coupled to components and/or sensors of the vehicle to receive information indicative of operational intent of an operator of the vehicle and information indicative of vehicle status. The single pedal may be configured to provide the information indicative of operational intent. The torque control module may be configured to generate both a propulsive torque request and a braking torque request based on the information indicative of the operational intent and the information indicative of vehicle status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Brewer, Kevin Sallee
  • Patent number: 11905743
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a storage compartment having a door panel movable between closed and open positions allowing access to the storage compartment, a user input device located within the storage compartment, and a latch assembly for latching the door panel in the closed position. The latch assembly includes a first release stage in the closed position allowing the door panel to move to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions and a second release stage allowing the door panel to move to the open position. The vehicle also includes a vehicle speed sensor sensing vehicle speed and a controller monitoring the sensed vehicle speed and detecting a user input to the user input device and controlling the latch assembly to selectively allow the door panel to move to one of the intermediate and open positions based on the sensed vehicle speed and the detected user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristin Ann Hellman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Peter Phung
  • Patent number: 11904732
    Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system includes a vehicle, a plurality of seating assemblies positioned within a passenger compartment of the vehicle and defining an arrangement, a plurality of actuators that effect movement of various components of the plurality of seating assemblies, a plurality of sensors, and a controller. Specific examples of pre-set or pre-programmed arrangements are disclosed, as well as the ability to customize the arrangement. Additionally, exemplary methods are disclosed that illustrate transitions between a variety of the pre-set or pre-programmed arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Patrick Maloney, Kevin Mozurkewich, Johnathan Andrew Line, Jeffrey Brian Yeung
  • Patent number: 11904742
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an autonomous vehicle configurable for transportation of either passengers, cargo, or both. The various aspects of this disclosure, which include moveable seat assemblies, a door arrangement, and storage bins, among other things, provide the vehicle with increased functionality and versatility, leading to more efficient vehicle use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Robert Walker
  • Patent number: 11904698
    Abstract: A controller selectively generates output for display indicative of a recommendation against use of a power outlet in a vehicle with devices external to the vehicle having a power rating greater than a predefined power rating threshold based on a difference between a current state of charge of a battery of the vehicle and a required state of charge for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan F. Diamond, Erik J. Christen, Matthew Joseph, Shehan Haputhanthri
  • Patent number: 11904735
    Abstract: A translation assembly for a vehicle includes a rail assembly that defines a first channel, a second channel, and a central member that extends between the first and second channels. A carriage assembly couples to the rail assembly. The carriage assembly is movable relative to the rail assembly. The carriage assembly includes a first rail engagement structure that extends into the rail assembly and is received within the first channel; a second rail engagement structure that extends into the rail assembly and is received within the second channel; and a carriage housing that is coupled to the first and second rail engagement structures. The carriage housing extends between the first and second rail engagement structures. The carriages assembly also includes one or more drive assemblies that engage with a top surface of the central member of the rail assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin VanNieulande, Patrick Maloney
  • Patent number: 11904811
    Abstract: A storage assembly for a vehicle includes a console housing including a storage compartment and an access opening to the storage compartment. The storage assembly includes a tambour door assembly having a tambour door panel configured to move between a first position to close the access opening and a second position to open the access opening. The storage assembly also has a tray assembly including the tambour door panel. The tray assembly is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the console housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Thomas, Stephen Neal Jacobsen, Michele Marie Matthews
  • Patent number: 11904675
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly includes a frame that has a passenger side rail and a driver side rail. The assembly further includes a battery support plate and a battery pack. The battery support plate is secured to the passenger side rail and the driver side rail. The battery pack has a plurality of cross-members. To secure the battery pack to the battery support plate, mechanical fasteners each extend through an aperture in the battery support plate to engage one of the cross-members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott J. Bell, Shane Edward Foley, Sukhwinder Singh Dhindsa, Jeffrey Ronald Bohmer
  • Patent number: 11904888
    Abstract: A system for controlling autonomously-controllable vehicle functions of an autonomous vehicle cooperating with partner subjects includes a database device with information on communication signals from partner subjects, action objectives, and scenarios, and has an autonomous vehicle with autonomously controllable vehicle functions communicatively connected to the database device. The autonomous vehicle includes a control device with a programmable unit and a surround sensor device. The control device receives sensor signals acquired by the surround sensor device of a surrounding area of the vehicle and communication signals originating from at least one partner subject. The control device determines a situation context based on the database information, and converts the captured communication signals into control signals for the autonomously controllable vehicle functions based on the situation context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ahmed Benmimoun, Mohamed Benmimoun, Sufian Ashraf Mazhari, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Muhammad Adeel Awan
  • Patent number: D1015944
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kemal Curic, Earl Lucas, Darren Luke, Jaewoo Chang
  • Patent number: D1015960
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Soohyoung Kim, Damon G. Depeyster, William Mangan
  • Patent number: D1015962
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Willing, Ehab Kaoud, Sean Tant, Jiacheng Liu
  • Patent number: D1015965
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Willing, Paul Wraith, Dong H. Park, Anthony Meyer, Martin B. Coons
  • Patent number: D1015993
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kemal Curic, Earl Lucas, Rick Mason
  • Patent number: D1016346
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kemal Curic, Earl Lucas, Shawn Wehrly, Ahmad Ahmadalkhorasani